DOWNTOWN PROJECT UPDATE
MAY 14, 2020
|
|
The Downtown Project will focus on upgrading the infrastructure – below and above ground – in the Downtown area.
The project’s goals are to repave the roadways, repair the sanitary sewer system, make drainage improvements, and upgrade pedestrian curb ramps.
The project began in April and is estimated to finish in September 2020.
|
|
Weekly Progress Report*:
What happened last week:
The City’s contractor, KJ Woods, conducted
- Corte Madera Ave. and Gardner St. - Sewer line and sewer lateral work.
- Throckmorton Ave. - Sewer line and sewer later work, and construction of a sanitary sewer manhole for Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) work.
- West Blithedale Ave. - Potholing activities to obtain visual confirmation of utilities and underground obstructions near or crossing the planned trench area.
What is happening this week:
KJ Woods conducted the following:
- Corte Madera Ave. - Sewer line work and closed-circuit TV inspection.
- Throckmorton Ave. - Sewer line work.
- West Blithedale Ave. - Potholing activities and sewer line work.
- Gardner St. - Sewer line and CIPP work. More about CIPP below.
What is happening in the upcoming weeks:
KJWoods will conduct the following:
- Corte Madera Ave.- Closed-circuit TV inspection.
- Throckmorton Ave. – Sewer lateral work – week of May 18.
- West Blithedale Ave. – Sewer line and sewer lateral work. Storm drain work will begin the week of May 18 through June 5. Road closures and detours will be in place. See below for more information.
- Gardner St. - Closed-circuit TV inspection for CIPP work, and CIPP sewer lining work starting May 18 and continuing through the week of May 25
- Sunnyside Ave. - Potholing activities, sewer work using Pipe Burst method. Watch a video about Pipe Burst Sewer Rehabilitation.
* All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.
|
|
West Blithedale Ave. -
Storm Drain Work, Road Closure and Detour
Work crews will replace and repair the storm drain on West Blithedale Ave. from Gardner St. to Oakdale Ave. beginning the week of May 18 and continuing through June 5. Due to the narrow roadway, work crews will need to close the road to conduct this work.
- Road closures are effective during work hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
- Driveways will be closed in the construction zone.
- Be aware of no parking signs and park outside the construction zone.
- Pedestrian access will be accommodated during the work.
- Please allow extra time for finding parking outside of the construction zone, and longer walks to access your vehicle.
West Blithedale Residents
- Your primary point of contact for issues related to this work is Norman Akana, Construction Manager, phone: (916) 806-0278 and email:
[email protected]
|
|
Gardner St. -
Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) Sewer Work
For locations that will be treated with the CIPP method, downtown community members may detect a chemical odor. This is the smell of styrene, a component of the resin used to saturate the sewer liner. This odor will quickly dissipate once the installation process is complete.
Watch a video about CIPP.
What You Can Do:
- Before Sewer CIPP Work Begins: Pour a gallon of water into sinks, floor drains, or other drainage openings, especially those that are seldom used and whose traps may be empty of water, before the contractor begins sewer lining work. This should prevent any odor from entering your building or home.
- During Sewer CIPP Work: It is important that while this work is being performed you limit activities that utilize large volumes of water, such as doing laundry, dishwashing, flushing toilets and bathing. If you do detect an odor, simply open your windows and/or turn on a fan to help ventilate the building. This level of concentration of airborne styrene does not pose a health risk
Additional Information about Styrene
The City of Mill Valley has used the CIPP sewer rehabilitation method, using the chemical styrene in projects such as: the 2019 Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewer Rehabilitation Project, the 2017 Miller Avenue Streetscape Project, and the 2017 Sycamore Avenue Sewer Lining Project, among many others.
- What is styrene? Styrene is a clear, colorless liquid that is used in the production of many everyday products such as plastic packaging, counter tops, disposable cups and containers, insulation and others. We are constantly exposed to small amounts of styrene in both ambient and indoor air, mostly attributable to emissions from building materials, and consumer products.
- How is styrene used in the sewer repair process? To repair the sewers, contractors will install a resin-saturated felt tube that later hardens into a strong “pipe-within-a-pipe.” Styrene is used in the resin that makes up the outside of the new pipe.
- Will I smell styrene odors when the Contractor is rehabilitating nearby sewers? Styrene can be detected by its smell even when there are very small amounts of the chemical present. As a result, persons living or working along the sewer lines may notice styrene’s distinct plastic smell during the new cured-in-place pipe process.
- Do the styrene odors released during the sewer CIPP rehabilitation process pose a risk to my health? The release of styrene during the sewer CIPP rehabilitation process does not pose a significant risk to human health or the surrounding environment. Most people, even if able to detect the styrene odor, have no reaction or symptoms.
- What will the City do to monitor air quality? The City will require the contractor to provide Air Quality Monitoring during CIPP installation. If the readings exceed those allowed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, then they are required to stop work immediately and notify the Construction Manager.
|
|
STAY OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE!
Please pay attention to the pedestrian detours and do not walk into the construction zone! This is very dangerous for you and the workers. Please heed all signs and pedestrian detours and stay out of the construction zone!
|
|
Downtown Businesses Update
|
|
Where can I learn more about the project?
|
|
City and Construction Management staff are available to answer questions and review concerns.
Construction Management:
Phone: (916) 806-0278
Construction and Design:
Phone: (415) 384-4755
Public Outreach and Communications:
Linn Walsh, Senior Management Analyst | Email:
[email protected]
| Phone: (415) 388-4863
Please also check out the Project Website:
Stay Informed
|
|
Thank You for Your Patience During Construction
The City of Mill Valley would like to send out a special thank you to the Mill Valley community for your patience during construction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
